L'eau

Water. I've recently heard about plans for a new bottled water company named ZAO. According to their website, which I've added as a link, ZAO means "to live" I'm assuming in some African language since that is the focus of the company. The company is just starting up and is non-profit. The plan is to bottle and sell clean water here, in The United States, and then 100% of the profits will fund water restoration efforts in Africa. They dig new wells, capture natural springs, build latrines, and educate the locals on hygiene.

My excitement about this new company exists on two levels. First of all, I think it is a great strategy to combat poor sanitation and disease conditions in impoverished areas, while generating profit in the US from bottled water sales. I will be much happier paying for water when I know it's benefitting people, and not just padding people's wallets. It has always astounded me in my Microbiology classes to learn that the diseases and problems people in 3rd-world countries suffer from in this modern age, when most of them could be solved by altering hygiene habits. What a great thing it would be to help provide good, clean water.

Secondly, I am excited at the possibility of employment with this company. I could be making a much bigger deal of this aspect than actually exists, but it's fun to dream. I was able to find out that the bottling plant is being built in Moravian Falls, NC, only 2 hours and 22 minutes from my home in Greer, SC. I don't even know if they are going to do any hiring, but I'm certain they will need at least one Microbiologist. I think it would be great to be able to work at such a job that will allow me to combine my education, Christian beliefs, and heart for missions. I emailed them to find out any more information on job opportunities. They haven't gotten back to me yet, so I'll just have to add it to my list of things to be patient for :-) Even if that job isn't an option, it has given me a new field to look at. The field of Microbiology can be a very large one, so it always helps to narrow your focus. And at the very least, I look forward to being able to purchase water from ZAO so that I can be even a small part in such a great work.